Setting the Scene: Pacific Lutheran University returns to Olson Gymnasium sitting atop the Northwest Conference standings, opening a four game homestand to close the regular season against nationally-ranked Whitworth University.
Home Attendance Policy: Masks are required while inside Olson Gymnasium, regardless of vaccination status. Eating and drinking inside the building is also prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation and helping stop the spread of COVID-19.
Online Ticketing: The Lutes have made it easier for fans to attend home sporting events, signing a deal with HomeTown Ticketing to be the department's official electronic ticket provider. Lute fans can now purchase basketball tickets online at GoLutes.com/tickets or on the HomeTown Ticketing mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.
Series History: The Lutes and Pirates have met 158 times on the hardwood, with Whitworth holding a 93-65 edge in the all-time series. The two teams last met on Jan. 15 in Spokane with the host Pirates prevailing 97-69.
About the Lutes: PLU (15-6, 10-2 NWC) returns home to Tacoma in a tie for first place with four games remaining. The Lutes have the benefit of playing all four of those games on their home court, including showdowns with fellow NWC leader Whitworth and second place Linfield.
PLU's surge back to the top of the NWC standings comes after winning its last five games, including a road sweep last weekend in Oregon.
The Lutes cracked the century mark last Friday, rolling host Willamette University 102-91 behind a 30-point performance from Seth Hall. The following night, Jordan Thomas scored 22 points for the second straight game in an 83-72 victory over George Fox University.
Thomas finished the week averaging 22.0 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and 5.0 assists per game and on Monday was named the NWC Player of the Week.
Seth Hall leads the NWC in scoring, averaging 20.9 ppg while Sean McCurdy leads the team on the glass and ranks sixth in the NWC, hauling in 6.6 rpg while Thomas ranks seventh in the NWC (6.5 rpg). Thomas additionally sits second in the league in assists, dishing out 4.6 per game.
About the Pirates: 21st-ranked Whitworth (17-3, 10-2 NWC) heads to Tacoma in a three-way tie for first with the Lutes and Linfield University. The Pirates were in sole possession of the top spot before stumbling 71-65 on Friday to host Linfield. Whitworth rebounded the following night, pummeling Pacific 71-58.
JT McDermott paces the Pirate scoring attack, averaging 13.4 points per game while Garrett Paxton adds 12.3 ppg. Miguel Lopez tallies 11.5 ppg and a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game while Liam Fitzgerald adds 10.1 ppg.
Home Cooking: The Lutes have turned Olson Gymnasium into a tough place for opposing teams to play. Pacific Lutheran has won 14 of its last 15 home games, including all seven home dates during the 2021-2022 season.
Stay connected to your favorite teams by downloading the official mobile app of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic department powered by SIDEARM Sports, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more, the new PLU Athletics app is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
To download the app to your smartphone or tablet, visit the Apple App Store (DOWNLOAD LINK) or Google Play (DOWNLOAD LINK) and search for "PLU Athletics."
Next Home Game:
Feb. 12: PLU hosts Whitman at 6 p.m.
PLU Non-Discrimination Policy: Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Childress-White; 253-535-7361; TitleIX@plu.edu